Game ID: 22400893
Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
CLE 36 27 23 26 112MIA 32 27 23 25 107
CLE vs MIA ScoutingCLE vs MIA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
CLE availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restBACK Wade back 2/21 after 11, 16 min since (79% of 20)
BACK Okoro back 2/20 after 14, 18 min since (98% of 18)
CLE availability going into 2/28 · 2 days' restOUT Garland missed 2 since 2/23, returns tonight: 32 min (103% of 31)
BACK Wade back 2/21 after 11, 17 min since (84% of 20)
BACK Okoro back 2/20 after 14, 19 min since (105% of 18)
CLE availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restBACK Garland back 2/28 after 2, 32 min since (103% of 31)
BACK Wade back 2/21 after 11, 18 min since (86% of 20)
BACK Okoro back 2/20 after 14, 18 min since (97% of 18)
CLE availability going into 3/04 · 1 day's restOUT Tomlin missed 2 since 2/28, out tonight
BACK Garland back 2/28 after 2, 35 min since (115% of 31)
BACK Wade back 2/21 after 11, 18 min since (89% of 20)
CLE availability going into 3/05 · back-to-backOUT Tomlin missed 3 since 2/28, out tonight
BACK Garland back 2/28 after 2, 34 min since (110% of 31)
CLE availability going into 3/07 · 1 day's restOUT Tomlin missed 4 since 2/28, out tonight
BACK Garland back 2/28 after 2, 33 min since (108% of 31)
NEW Jerome 20 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/09 · 1 day's restOUT Tomlin missed 5 since 2/28, out tonight
BACK Garland back 2/28 after 2, 33 min since (107% of 31)
CLE availability going into 3/11 · 1 day's restOUT Tomlin missed 6 since 2/28, out tonight
CLE availability going into 3/14 · 2 days' restOUT Tomlin missed 7 since 2/28, out tonight
MIA availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Highsmith missed 4 since 2/13, returns tonight: 27 min (111% of 24)
OUT Larsson missed 3 since 2/21, returns tonight: 1 min (5% of 14)
OUT Love missed 7 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Rozier back 2/21 after 2, 13 min since (50% of 26)
BACK Jaquez Jr. back 2/13 after 2, 15 min since (74% of 20)
NEW Wiggins 32 to 38 min over the last 4
NEW Ware 22 to 28 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Rozier missed 2 since 2/24, returns tonight: 11 min (44% of 26)
OUT Jović missed 2 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Love missed 8 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Highsmith back 2/26 after 4, 27 min since (111% of 24)
BACK Jaquez Jr. back 2/13 after 2, 13 min since (63% of 20)
BACK Larsson back 2/26 after 3, 1 min since (5% of 14)
NEW Wiggins 32 to 37 min over the last 4
NEW Ware 22 to 29 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/02 · 1 day's restOUT Jović missed 3 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Love missed 9 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Rozier back 2/21 after 2, 12 min since (48% of 26)
BACK Highsmith back 2/26 after 4, 28 min since (115% of 24)
BACK Jaquez Jr. back 2/24 after 2, 10 min since (48% of 20)
BACK Larsson back 2/26 after 3, 1 min since (5% of 14)
NEW Wiggins 32 to 37 min over the last 4
NEW Ware 22 to 28 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/03 · back-to-backOUT Wiggins missed 2 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 4 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Larsson missed 2 since 2/28, returns tonight: 28 min (195% of 14)
OUT Love missed 10 since 2/07, returns tonight: 12 min (113% of 11)
BACK Rozier back 2/28 after 2, 14 min since (52% of 26)
BACK Highsmith back 2/26 after 4, 31 min since (127% of 24)
BACK Jaquez Jr. back 2/24 after 2, 10 min since (48% of 20)
NEW Ware 22 to 30 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/05 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 3 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 5 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Jaquez Jr. missed 2 since 3/02, out tonight
BACK Rozier back 2/28 after 2, 21 min since (80% of 26)
BACK Highsmith back 2/26 after 4, 30 min since (122% of 24)
BACK Larsson back 2/26 after 3, 14 min since (100% of 14)
BACK Love back 3/03 after 10, 12 min since (113% of 11)
NEW Robinson 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Ware 22 to 28 min over the last 4
MIA availability going into 3/07 · 1 day's restOUT Wiggins missed 4 since 2/28, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 6 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Ware missed 2 since 3/03, out tonight
OUT Jaquez Jr. missed 3 since 3/02, returns tonight: 10 min (51% of 20)
BACK Rozier back 2/28 after 2, 26 min since (99% of 26)
BACK Highsmith back 2/26 after 4, 29 min since (120% of 24)
BACK Larsson back 2/26 after 3, 13 min since (95% of 14)
BACK Love back 3/03 after 10, 14 min since (131% of 11)
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/08 · back-to-backOUT Wiggins missed 5 since 2/28, returns tonight: 28 min (89% of 32)
OUT Jović missed 7 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Ware missed 3 since 3/03, returns tonight: 26 min (120% of 22)
BACK Rozier back 2/28 after 2, 23 min since (89% of 26)
BACK Jaquez Jr. back 3/07 after 3, 10 min since (51% of 20)
BACK Larsson back 3/03 after 2, 19 min since (137% of 14)
BACK Love back 3/03 after 10, 13 min since (119% of 11)
NEW Highsmith 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Robinson 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Burks 18 to 24 min over the last 4
MIA availability going into 3/10 · 1 day's restOUT Jović missed 8 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 2 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Wiggins back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (89% of 32)
BACK Ware back 3/08 after 3, 26 min since (120% of 22)
BACK Jaquez Jr. back 3/07 after 3, 10 min since (52% of 20)
BACK Larsson back 3/03 after 2, 19 min since (137% of 14)
BACK Love back 3/03 after 10, 13 min since (119% of 11)
MIA availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Jović missed 9 since 2/24, out tonight
OUT Burks missed 3 since 3/07, out tonight
OUT Love missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
BACK Wiggins back 3/08 after 5, 31 min since (99% of 32)
BACK Ware back 3/08 after 3, 25 min since (112% of 22)
BACK Jaquez Jr. back 3/07 after 3, 12 min since (57% of 20)
BACK Larsson back 3/03 after 2, 15 min since (109% of 14)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 28 free throws a game; Mitchell at 28 and Mobley at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Herro at 20 and Adebayo at 20 a game. Without Wiggins (3 straight), Jović (5 straight), Jaquez Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-8 a night and Miami minus-0 and the line, where Cleveland takes 28 free throws a game to Miami's 19. Call it Cleveland 118, Miami 111.
2/25 @ ORL 122-82 — CLE notes
CLE won 122-82. CLE shot 56% (45 of 80) to ORL's 37%, 19 of 32 from three. The glass went 47-35 for them. Jerome led with 20 (7 of 12, 4 of 6 from three); Mobley added 17, Hunter 17. The hinge was Q1, 34-16: from level to 18 ahead, and the lead reached 42. Okoro was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
2/28 @ BOS 123-116 — CLE notes
CLE won 123-116. CLE shot 48% (45 of 94) to BOS's 48%, 17 of 39 from three. Mitchell led with 41 (13 of 26, 5 of 12 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); Garland added 20, Mobley 17. The hinge was Q4, 28-18: CLE came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 7. CLE trailed 64-74 at the half and won the second half 59-42. Jerome was the night's best plus/minus at +34.
3/02 vs POR 133-129 — CLE notes
CLE won 133-129 in 1 overtime. CLE shot 43% (42 of 97) to POR's 44%, 19 of 46 from three. CLE turned it over 13 times to POR's 19. Hunter led with 32 (8 of 15, 5 of 9 from three, 11 of 12 at the line); Jerome added 25, Mobley 20. The hinge was Q4, 40-30: CLE came in trailing by 10 and left it level. CLE trailed 42-54 at the half and won the second half 91-75. Merrill was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/04 @ CHI 139-117 — CLE notes
CLE won 139-117. CLE shot 47% (46 of 98) to CHI's 44%, 17 of 48 from three, and went to the line 33 times to CHI's 17 — 30 points from the stripe to their 12. Mitchell led with 28 (7 of 17, 1 of 6 from three, 13 of 14 at the line); Allen added 25, Garland 19. The hinge was Q4, 43-23: a lead of 2 became 22. CLE trailed 57-58 at the half and won the second half 82-59. Strus was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
3/05 vs MIA 112-107 — CLE notes
CLE won 112-107. CLE shot 47% (41 of 87) to MIA's 43%, 14 of 40 from three. D. Mitchell led with 26 (8 of 17, 4 of 11 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Mobley added 16, Hunter 16. The hinge was Q1, 36-32: from level to 4 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Hunter was the night's best plus/minus at +18.
3/07 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 118, shooting 41 percent and 29 from three, 18 free throws a game; Ball at 24 and Bridges at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Gra. Williams (45 straight), Simpson (3 straight), Okogie (16 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 25 free throws a game; Mitchell at 26 and Mobley at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 42 percent from three to Charlotte's 29 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 17 times a game to Cleveland's 10. Call it Cleveland 119, Charlotte 108, Cleveland by 11.
3/09 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 114, shooting 52 percent and 39 from three, 26 free throws a game; Antetokounmpo at 30 and Lillard at 26 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Trent Jr. (2 straight), Portis (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 32 free throws a game; Mitchell at 30 and Mobley at 18 a game. That is 5 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Milwaukee has been plus-9 a night and Cleveland plus-3 and the line, where Cleveland takes 32 free throws a game to Milwaukee's 26. Call it Milwaukee 119, Cleveland 118, Cleveland keeping it close.
3/11 vs BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 32 free throws a game; Mitchell at 23 and Mobley at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 115, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 24 free throws a game; Thomas at 21 and C. Johnson at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Evbuomwan (6 straight), Etienne (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-1 a night and Brooklyn minus-7 and the line, where Cleveland takes 32 free throws a game to Brooklyn's 24. Call it Cleveland 120, Brooklyn 108, Cleveland by 12.
3/14 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; Morant at 29 and Bane at 20 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Jackson Jr. (5 straight), Aldama (3 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 109, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 30 free throws a game; Mitchell at 23 and Garland at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. 2 days' rest.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the line, where Cleveland takes 30 free throws a game to Memphis's 21. Call it Memphis 117, Cleveland 116, Cleveland keeping it close.
2/26 vs ATL 131-109 — MIA notes
MIA won 131-109. MIA shot 59% (45 of 76) to ATL's 51%, 23 of 42 from three. Herro led with 24 (7 of 16, 4 of 8 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Robinson added 24, Mitchell 20. The hinge was Q3, 42-28: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 22. Highsmith was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
2/28 vs IND 125-120 — MIA notes
MIA won 125-120. MIA shot 57% (48 of 84) to IND's 53%, 17 of 32 from three. Herro led with 29 (11 of 25, 3 of 10 from three); Robinson added 20, Adebayo 18. The hinge was Q3, 29-23: MIA came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 5. MIA trailed 68-69 at the half and won the second half 57-51. Burks was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
3/02 vs NYK 112-116 — MIA notes
MIA lost 112-116 in 1 overtime. MIA shot 54% (45 of 84) to NYK's 48%, 11 of 35 from three. The glass went 34-46 against them. Adebayo led with 30 (12 of 16, 6 of 8 at the line); Herro added 22, Ware 12. Q2 was theirs, 35-23, but the other 4 periods went 93-77 against them. They led by as many as 19. Highsmith's -11 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/03 vs WAS 106-90 — MIA notes
MIA won 106-90. MIA shot 48% (39 of 82) to WAS's 37%, 13 of 37 from three. Adebayo led with 19 (7 of 16, 5 of 6 at the line); Robinson added 17, Larsson 16. The hinge was Q2, 23-12: a lead of 8 became 19, and the lead reached 26. Robinson was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
3/05 @ CLE 107-112 — MIA notes
MIA lost 107-112. MIA shot 43% (36 of 83) to CLE's 47%, 13 of 36 from three. Adebayo led with 34 (11 of 18, 3 of 5 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Robinson added 14, Highsmith 13. Q2 was theirs, 27-27, but the other 3 periods went 85-80 against them. Robinson's -13 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/07 vs MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 109, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 19 free throws a game; Adebayo at 24 and Herro at 23 a game. Without Wiggins (4 straight), Jović (6 straight), Ware (2 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 110, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Randle at 20 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Gobert (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been minus-0 a night and Minnesota minus-13 and the turnovers, Miami giving it away 13 times a game to Minnesota's 9. Call it Miami 113, Minnesota 111, Minnesota keeping it close.
3/08 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 109, shooting 50 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Adebayo at 26 and Herro at 22 a game. Without Wiggins (5 straight), Jović (7 straight), Ware (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; White at 28 and Giddey at 19 a game. Without Vučević (6 straight), Williams (8 straight), Ball (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 109 a night to Chicago's 125 and the arc, Miami at 39 percent from three to Chicago's 33. Call it Miami 117, Chicago 113, Chicago keeping it close.
3/10 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Adebayo at 27 and Herro at 20 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Jović (8 straight), Burks (2 straight). One day's rest. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 19 free throws a game; Bridges at 30 and Ball at 22 a game. Without Gra. Williams (47 straight), Mar. Williams (2 straight), Simpson (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-3 a night and Miami minus-4 and the defense, Miami allowing 108 a night to Charlotte's 115. Call it Miami 113, Charlotte 106.
3/12 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Adebayo at 25 and Herro at 20 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Jović (9 straight), Burks (3 straight). One day's rest. The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 113, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Harden at 30 and Zubac at 23 a game. They have lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Powell (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Miami has been plus-0 a night and the Clippers minus-6 and the defense, Miami allowing 105 a night to the Clippers' 113. Call it Miami 111, the Clippers 109, the Clippers keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
CLEDG D. Garland
DH D. Hunter
DW D. Wade
EM E. Mobley
IO I. Okoro
JA J. Allen
MS M. Strus
SM S. Merrill
TJ T. Jerome
MIAAB A. Burks
BA B. Adebayo
DM D. Mitchell
DR D. Robinson
HH H. Highsmith
KA K. Anderson
KL K. Love
PL P. Larsson
TR T. Rozier
CLE/MIA the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Cavaliers hold off Heat 112-107 to extend winning streak to 12 and clinch playoff spot
CLEVELAND -- — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points, Darius Garland had 10 assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers survived some sloppiness in the final two minutes to win their 12th straight game, 112-107 over the banged-up Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
With the win, the Cavs became the first team to clinch a playoff berth.
It wasn't easy as the Heat, who were missing several rotational players, led 107-106 with 2:55 left. But Miami didn't score again and Duncan Robinson 's apparent tying 3-pointer with 17.4 seconds left was waved off because he stepped out of bounds.
Bam Adebayo scored a season-high 34 points for Miami, which was without leading scorer Tyler Herro .
The Heat were already missing Jaime Jaquez Jr . (ankle sprain), Nikola Jovic (broken hand), Kel’el Ware (knee sprain) and Andrew Wiggins (ankle sprain) before Herro came down with a head cold in the past 24 hours.
Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter added 16 points apiece for Cleveland.
Takeaways Heat: Herro's absence forced Miami to operate differently on offense and limited coach Erik Spoelstra's depth. However, he still had Adebayo and the three-time All-Star made all nine free throws and added 12 rebounds in 38 minutes.
Cavaliers: Cleveland's execution was poor down the stretch. Mitchell had two turnovers in the final two minutes.
Key moment Miami's Kevin Love played his first game in Cleveland since signing with the Heat two years ago. The 36-year-old Love received a rousing ovation from Cavs fans, who'll never forget his major role in helping the team win the 2016 NBA title. Love was saluted with a video tribute during a timeout in the first quarter.
Key stat Cleveland is one of just seven teams to have three double-digit winning streaks in the same season.
Up next The Heat host Minnesota on Friday, the first of five straight home games. The Cavaliers are in Charlotte on Friday.